Analysing a newspaper article free essay sample

Analyzing a Newspaper story How is a Newspaper Article Structured? All newspaper articles follow a particular framework or structure. Headline: All stories have a headline, which gives the reader an idea of what the article is about. Tabloid headlines often use puns or other techniques, such as alliteration, to captivate their audience. Introduction: As the first paragraph in an article, the introduction is very important. Its contents tell the reader In more detail what the article is about. Research Into how people deader newspapers shows that most people read the headline first, followed by the first paragraph of the story. If the introduction is not interesting then most people will to continue reading the article. The first paragraph is often known as a stand- first, printed In a bold font. Elaboration: The next few paragraphs tell the reader more about the story that is outlined in the Introduction. They Inform readers about the following key words: what When Where Who Why. We will write a custom essay sample on Analysing a newspaper article or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Quotes: Almost all news stories have comments from those involved or from voyeurs onlookers). Their function is to make the article more objective by keeping a balanced viewpoint. Alternatively, they can make the article more subjective by sensationalistic the reaction of the public and can Indicate bias. Projection: Many stories tell the reader what might happen next In relation to the event or people in the report. This might Include a comment from a police officer, an PM, a family member or a general prediction of consequences or outcomes. Blast Something to keep in mind when reading newspaper articles is bias. Usually, the sews of newspapers are predetermined by their political ideology I. E. Which political Conservative Party or right wing, whereas The Guardian is more socialist in outlook, or left wing. However, bias does not have to be political. Journalists can be biased towards certain types of people, places and organizations. Many Journalists have been accused of bias for not representing a balanced viewpoint in a report. Tabloid Broadsheet The most striking diffe rence between tabloid and broadsheet newspapers is their language. Below are two checklists of tabloid and broadsheet language. Please note that these are not totally comprehensive and you must add to them as you go along. Tabloid Informal Use of puns Use of alliteration Exaggeration for effect Slang Colloquial language (chatty) Informal names used Short, snappy sentences Heightened language (over the top) Brand names Adjectives often carry sexual overtones A focus upon appearance Frequent use of elision e. G. Wont, dont. This is another informal technique Broadsheet More formal Metaphors rather than puns Rhetorical questions More complex sentences (look for sentences separated by lots of commas, semi- loons etc. Puns sometimes used, although more subtle Statistics Descriptions of people tends to relate to personality or position in society Politicians comments often included , with a commentary by the Journalist Informal language: characterized by short sentences, use of slang and colloquialisms. Formal language: complex sentences, no slang, Standard English used. Colloquial language: chatty, conversational language, sometimes characterized by the use of slang. Adjective: describes a noun. Adverb: describes a verb, usually an action. Noun: person, place or thing. Verb: an action word. Pronoun: replaces a noun e. G. I, she, he, we. We is an inclusive pronoun, as it tries to include the audience with the writer or speaker. Elision: deliberately missing out letters n words e. G. Dont instead of do not. Metaphor: describing something as something else; a description that is not meant literally. Rhetorical question: a question asked for effect that does not require an answer. Pun: a double meaning or play on words. Semantic field: a recurring theme or image in a piece of writing e. G. Here is a mantic field of animals in the Beckman article in The Sun animal snarling savage roared. Evidence to support the comments that you make. Languages examples of language stand out. Use the checklist to help. Contentment is included or missed out of the story? Can you explain this? Styles the article chatty or formal? Serious or funny? How long are the sentences? Values and attitudes there any bias? What are the news values? Photo graphing shots have been chosen and why? How have they been edited? Headliners kind of headline is it? What techniques are used?